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CBSNY Dads

While I hear from a lot of fans who tell me how much they enjoy listening to my stories on the radio, I have no greater admirer than my father, Angelo Cioffi.

Catherine Cioffi, seen here on her wedding day with her father. (credit: Catherine Cioffi)

Along with teaching me to love the water, Italian history, NOVA, architecture and politics, my dad taught me not to ever be afraid. He’s as supportive as they come, especially when it comes to my career.

When I came home from college and told my parents that I wanted to be a radio reporter, my mother told me that was a “hobby” – she wanted me to be a lawyer. My dad, on the other hand, said he would get up at 4 a.m. with me every day and drive me into the city for my internship, so I wouldn’t have to take the train.

When it came time for interviews, he was the one who drove me up and down the East coast for all of them. During the big black out, the rain storms and the late nights – there we were in the car.

When I was hired in Rhode Island, he was the one who took me out for a drink when I cried, because I was scared to leave New York.

“You can always come home,” he told me, before adding that I should “go after my dreams.”

When I was hired here at WCBS, he just about shouted it from the rooftops. It was then, because of my father’s everlasting support and enthusiasm, that I decided with certainty to never change my last name or use an on-air moniker. I am proud to be named Cioffi and to carry on his name – plus, after all these years, he still loves hearing “Catherine Cioffi” on the air.

After each big interview I complete, my first call is always to my dad. He continues to get excited and always has something funny to say. He treasures the photo of my interview with Yankee legend Yogi Berra.

Being in the media hasn’t always been a smooth path. There have been many times when I have gone crying to my father. But it’s nice to always have someone there to give me a hug, pat me on the back and say, “Go back out there and get ‘em!”

Now that I am on the verge of becoming a mom, I treasure these memories even more. I am even more appreciative of how supportive he has always been – with anything I have wanted to accomplish.